******PROLOGUE*******
LOCATION> THE FORGE.
SCENE> THE CARETAKER, WHO HAS BEEN REVEALED TO BE FORGE OF THE
TWENCEN X-MEN, STANDS ALONE IN A ROOM. A GLOW MIST SWIRLS AROUND
HIM IN THE ROOM, TAKING VARIOUS FORMS SUCH AS MEMBERS OF THE
X-MEN, THE MORLOCKS, AND APOCALYPSE.<Caretaker> ::gazes into the mists, almost
entranced::ACTION> THE MISTS SWIRL INTO ONE FINAL IMAGE, FAINTLY
RECOGNIZED AS A TERROR STRICKEN FACE BEFORE THE MIST ABRUPTLY
DISIPATES.<Caretaker> ::turns his head slightly:: You are
here.. You came through the portal with us, didn't you?ACTION> SILENCE IS ALL THE CARETAKER RECEIVES IN
RESPONSE. THERE SEEMS TO BE NOTHING ELSE IN THE ROOM TO EVEN
ANSWER HIM.<Caretaker> Apocalypse does not even realize what
he has done, does he?ACTION> A SHADOW WITHIN THE SHADOWS OF THE ROOM MOVES
SLIGHTLY.<Caretaker> Very well...*******SIM START*******
LOCATION> A PRIMUS HYDRO-RECYCLING PLANT IN ENGLAND.
SCENE> A LARGE HOLE AS BEEN BROKEN THROUGH THE OUTSIDE WALL OF
THE PLANT. A TORN UP CANMORE AIRCRAFT LAYS WEDGED INTO THE INNER
CORRIDOR WITH DEAD PRIMUS EMPLOYEES AROUND AND UNDER IT.
PESTILENCE STALKS AWAY FROM THE CRASH SITE, HEADING DEEPER INTO
THE FACILITY.<Pestilence> ::whistling tunelessly, pauses a
moment, looking around::
<Pestilence> ::moves on, further into the facility,
casually::ACTION> PESTILENCE ENTERS THE INNER CHAMBER OF THE
FACILITY. A LARGE, CIRCULAR ROOM WITH A PIT IN ITS CENTER. DOWN
INTO THE PIT IS A WHIRLPOOL OF WATER.<Pestilence> ::grins, walking up to the edge of
the pit and looking down into the swirling water:: ACTION> THREE GLOWING BLADES FLY THROUGH THE AIR AND
STAB INTO PESTILENCE'S BACK, TRIGGERING MUCH MORE PAIN THAN SHE
WOULD NORMALLY RECEIVE FROM SUCH WOUNDS.<Pestilence> ::eyes widen sharply, and she drops
to all fours, whirling to face her attacker:: !ACTION> THE BLADES IN HER BACK DISAPPEAR AND SHE SEES
A MAN HOLDING A COUPLE MORE SUCH BLADES AND STANDING IN A
DIFFERENT DOORWAY THEN THE ONE SHE ENTERED FROM.<Pestilence> Hey... shouldn'ta done that. Gonna
die slow now. Hope ya like it.
<Pike> I see you missed the no trespassing markers. Not too
stealthy of an approach either.. Tracked you since you came into
Primus airspace.
<Pestilence> ::bares her teeth slightly:: Look like i care?
<Pike> ::forms a two foot long energy stick in each hand::
No.. You look shocking ugly.
<Pestilence> ::starts moving toward Pike, still on all
fours, perhaps a bit warier than with the average corp employee::
I try. ::smirks::
<Pike> ::forms jagged blades on the ends of one stick,
hurling it at her::
<Pestilence> ::moves swiftly to one side, gauging his
reactions::ACTION> PIKE SLAMS THE END OF HIS OTHER STICK AGAINST
THE WALL, THE OTHER END SUDDENLY LANCES OUTWARD, STABBING THROUGH
PESTILENCE'S SHOULDER AND EXTENDING ALL THE WAY TO THE OPPOSITE
WALL.<Pestilence> ::snarls sharply, freezing for a
moment at the unexpected pain::
<Pestilence> ::eyes narrow, and she grabs at the glowing
stick to pull herself free::
<Pike> Busy schedule today.. ::generates a large axe:: Have
to cut this short.
<Pestilence> Indeed. ::claws out, shoots him a rather sour
look, then charges::
<Pike> ::steps back, swinging the large axe upwards at her
as she nears::
<Pestilence> ::leaps straight up, one leg whipping around
toward his face in a spinning kick::
<Pike> Ugn! ::drops his axe, which disipates, and slides on
the floor further into the room::
<Pestilence> ::lands lightly, and smirks:: Tough guy.
::approaches, still on guard::
<Pike> ::grabs the railing around the pit and pulls himself
up:;
<Pestilence> ::grins wider:: Not real smart, though.
<Pike> ::turns to her, form and throwing a razor sharp disk
at her head::
<Pestilence> ::drops, flattening herself to the ground and
rushing forward::
<Pike> ::backs into the railing:: Shock!
<Pestilence> ::grabs at his ankles, aiming to pull him off
balance and dangle him over the railing as she rises back to her
feet::
<Pike> Ah! Oh bloody.. ::looks down at the water, then
glares at her, forming a pickaxe like object::
<Pestilence> ::grins:: Just think. You'll be part of
England. How patriotic. ::digs a claw into his ankle::
<Pestilence> ::affects a bored yawn:: But, no time to play.
You're lucky. ::lets go::ACTION> PIKE SPLASHES DOWN INTO THE WHIRLPOOL.<Pestilence> ::casually bites her fingertip, then
lets the blood drip into the water:: you're all gonna diieeee
*singsong********ELSEWHERE*******
LOCATION> THE FORGE
SCENE> THE MORLOCKS HAVE RESTED INBED PROVIDED FOR THEM FOR
HOURS. THEY AWOKE TO FIND FOOD WAITING FOR THEM(REAL FRUIT,
WATER, AND STRANGE BARS THAT TASTE LIKE WHAT YOU CRAVE) AND
JAXION UP AND MOVING.<Landslide> ::sits up:: Wow... Joto can't remember
the last time he slept well like that...
<Jaxion> ::floats off the floor almost as if he's sitting
in an invisible chair, surrounded by strange holographic control
panels that he's entering commands into with a small green
glowing orb floating nearby::
<Gally> ::sits on the floor still humming to herself, not
needing sleep:: good morning
<Kali> ::Looks around and sighs in relief seeing Jax up and
about and decides not to bug him and then spots the food. She tip
toes over to grab a bite.:: Good morning Gally.
<Static> Hunh..::Munches the food:: Gotta admit..not bad..
<Xeno> ::eats an apple, muttering to himself, and walking
towards the ammunition room::
<Powerslam> ::leans against the wall, eating one of the
bars:: I've never slept that good before... ::frowns inwardly::
((Wonder if that means my life's sucked...))
<Maximus> ::: watches the others as they begin to wake up
::::;
<Landslide> ::Stands up eyeing the food and then walks
over:: Joto's eyes must be deceiving him....
<Gally> be glad you can sleep... for some of us it's not an
option
<Static> Yeah..good for you..::Munches the bar:: ..Gotta
admit..feels weird to be eating ham and eggs outta some candy
bar..
<Seth> ::finishes up his "crave-bar" and wipes
his mouth with a napkin:: (( Thor, I am full )) ::stands::
Sinister never fed me that well.
<Static> ::Glances at Gally:: It ain't all it's cracked up
to be..trust me on that..
<Kali> ::Takes a bar of food and takes a tentive bite, she
blinks at looks at it before eating it.::
<Jaxion> ::bites into an apple, typing into one of the
holo-panels with a free hand::
<Flux> ::walks towards the ammunition room after Xeno::
<Gally> and neither is being "awake" all the time
<Seth> ::smiles at the banter being exchanged and walks
around the Forge:: (( I guess staying here won't be all that bad
))
<Xeno> ::walks into the ammo room still muttering::
<Maximus> ::: looks to his implants on his arm and pulls
out a glass vile filled with green fulid, as he inserts an Empty
Vial :::
<Static> If I had that option, I'd take it, believe
me..::Rubs his temples slightly::
<Landslide> ::grabs a few bars and walks over to a seat::
<Kali> I think sleep at the very least is very
thearputical<sp>...
<Maximus> Not if the images in your head keep you awake
....
<Static> Not with my dreams they ain't, Wings..::Continues
munching the bar:: Guess this' another one of the Maker's little
inventions..
<Gally> ::gets herself a large glass of water:: it all must
depend on the point of view being taken
<Powerslam> ::glances over at Jax:: Looks like he's doing
better... and like he's taken advantage of all the technology
here
<Maximus> ::: Looks to Static :: your Dreams bother you as
well?
<Flux> ::walks behind Xeno:: Are you okay?
<Kali> ::Nods in agreement to PS.:: LIke a little kid in a
toy store... ::Pauses.:: I would imagane.
<Gally> ::downs the glass of water::
<Landslide> ::begins chewing on one of the bars::
<Static> ::Sends a look at Maximus:: Maybe..try dying all
the time, then getting buried for months..::Finishes his meal,
standing and walking a short distance away from the others::
<Seth> :: Looks at Gally :: You need no slepp, yet you
require food?
<Maximus> ::: Looks around for someplace to Dispose of the
vile he removed, filled with the toxic waste his filtering system
removed from his blood ::::
<Xeno> ::doesnt even look back:: ya... fine ::pus up the
suit infront of him::
<Maximus> I'd rather have thoses then mine.... ::: looks
down :::
<Gally> not food persay... I do require water to provide
the hydrogen to fuel my internal fusion reactor
<Kali> ::Frowns and follows after Static.:: How was it
like?
<Gally> I can eat food, but aside from the
"taste" and the water content I gain nothing from it
<Flux> ::frowns:: No your not
<Landslide> ::continus munching:: ((Joto doesn't understand
all this ca-ca... But this tastes good...))
<Maximus> ::: looks down not noticing Static left :: the
faces of all i have slain in the ereana come back to haunt me
while i sleep ..... the faces of friends .... and stranges i was
forced to kill
<Powerslam> ::looks around:: Falling to pieces already...
guess we really are meant to live hard lives, we can't handle the
good things too well
<Xeno> sure, whatever. ::opens up a panel on the back of
the suit::
<Gally> it's all a choice of how you choose to precieve
things... nothing more
<Seth> ::nods:: You are quite a marvel, I give you that. ((
I wonder if at one time she was actually human? ))
<Maximus> they all ask the same question ..... Why? ...
<Gally> the manner of my contruction ceased to facinate me
when I first learned what I was built for
<Static> ::Shrugs slightly:: Cold, I guess..I wasn't really
awake, for it..nearly punched my ticket being dead and buried
that long, though, when they dug me up..
<Powerslam> ::shrugs at everybody then goes and gets some
fruit and a glass of water:: ((If nobody else's gonna enjoy it...
why let it go to waste?))
<Kali> I suppose... Well, my month away wasn't too
enjoyable. But it's better than feeling 'cold' or nothing.ACTION> A DOOR SLIDES OPEN AND THE CARETAKER STEPS
INTO THE ROOM, STANDING IN FRONT OF THE DOORWAY.<Seth> :: solemn look :: I apologize, Gally. I did
not mean to...bring that up. ::looks at the floor::
<Powerslam> ::glances to the Caretaker, chewing on a piece
of mango::
<Xeno> ::gets a panel and connects it to the suit, typing
some things into it::
<Static> ::Shrugs slightly:: I thought you were all dead..I
tried to get to Poccy, before he took out Halo City and the
X-Men..I failed..I died..Simple as that..::Lowers his mask,
looking towards the Caretaker::
<Gally> ::smiles:: don't apologize, it's not your fault
::turns to the caretaker:: ACTION> A POOL OF BLOOD IS FORMING AT THE CARETAKER'S
FEET.<Caretaker> ::collapses, cloak partially opening
to show bleeding wounds all over his cyborg body::
<Kali> We're like... ::Falls quiet then rushes over to the
Caretaker.:: What on Earth?
<Flux> ::places a hand gently on Xeno's shoulder:: What is
it?
<Gally> by Thor! what happened?!
<Static> ::Blinks, slowly:: Caretaker! ::Moves towards
him:: Shock..What happened?
<Seth> ::looks at the caretaker, mumbles something in
Japanese then runs toward him:: (( Thor! ))
<Jaxion> ::looks back at the others, seeing the Caretaker
and drops from his hover position:: What the shock?
<Caretaker> ::looks at Static:: Death is here.. ::glow from
his cybernetic eye fades::
<Xeno> ::pushes her hand off of his shoulder:: nothing
::disconnects the panel and closes the suit::
<Seth> ::stops, drowing out the commotion around him,
perking his head up, and listening for signs of others in the
Forge::
<Static> ::Stares:: Aw
no..Forge..Caretaker..he's..::Stands, igniting his energy
blades:: Whoever the glitch is that did it's gonna die..
<Kali> Don't, please don't... ::Checks his pulse in faint
hope.:: ...
<Flux> ::hears all the noise and looks at Xeno::
Something's wrong... ::runs into the next room and looks at the
Caretaker::
<Powerslam> ::finishes off the water then eyes the
doorway:: Who's Death?ACTION> THE CARETAKER HAS DIED. SETH CAN'T HEAR ANY
OTHER THAN THE VARIOUS SOUNDS THE MORLOCKS ARE MAKING.<Seth> ::still listening, but speaking to PS:: One
of Apocalypse's Horsemen. I Bible refrence I believe.
<Static> ::Moves through the Doorway the Caretaker came
through::
<Xeno> ::mutters again and turns the suit back to the
bracelet and attaches it again::
<Gally> whoever he is... he has made the worst error of his
soon to end life
<Seth> ::moves after Static through the doorway:: I cannot
hear him...he may be able to escape my abilities...
<Kali> ((... could have anything to do with...?)) ::Follows
after Seth.::
<Xeno> ::slowly walks towards where the others are::ACTION> A DARK, UNRECOGNIZABLE FIGURE SWIFTLY SLAMS
INTO STATIC, GRABBING HIM AND MOVING PAST THE OTHER MORLOCKS ALL
THE WAY ACROSS THE ROOM WITH A TIGHT HOLD ON STATIC.<Static> ::Tries to slam his blades into the
figure:: You're gonna pay, whoever you are!
<Powerslam> ::forms an energy ball, eyeing the figure:: Let
him go
<Seth> ::turns his head quickly:: Shock! ::turns and aims,
preparing to fire a sonic blast if need be::ACTION> STATIC IS BEING RESTRAINED, UNABLE TO STRIKE
BACK AT DEATH.<Gally> ::whirls around and faces the figure::
release the mutant now... or be destroyed... you have no other
options
<Xeno> ::blinks at the figure and suits up::
<Static> ::Struggles:: Just let me go..and I'll tear you
apart, you son of a glitch..
<Jaxion> ::narrows his eye, trying to see through the
darkness surrounding Death::
<Gally> ::eyes narrow as the pupils faintly glow red and
plasma forms at her fingertips::
<Xeno> ::tries to target death through his sensors::
<Powerslam> ::forms and sends the energy ball at the feet
of Death, trying to see who it is::
<Kali> ::Turns around and rushes towards the front.:: Let
him go! ::Eyes darken as she reaches for a knife.::
<Jaxion> Static.. 'port.. Everyone else.. blast him, now.
<Seth> ((Time to go about this as Death does)) ::slowly
moves into the shadows, absorbing all the sound around him,
become stealth::
<Static> ::Moves to teleport out of his grip:: Save some
for me..I want to end this miserable glitch's life, myself..
<Xeno> ::arms his rockets::
<Seth> ::aim trained on Death, moving closer to him ::
<Kali> ::Throws a knife at Death before closing her wings
around her and unleashes fireballs at him.::
<Powerslam> ::forms and sends another energy ball at
Death::ACTION> SOMETHING GOES WRONG WITH STATIC'S TELEPORT,
BOTH HE AND DEATH DISAPPEAR FROM THE ROOM IN AN ENERGY FLASH.<Gally> ::approaches Death fireing a rapid fire
series of white-hot plasma flares at hhim with both hands::
<Xeno> ::blinks and disarms the rockets, scanning for where
he might of ended up::
<Gally> ::ceases fire and looks around:: somebody please
tell me we can track where they went
<Jaxion> ::looks around the room:: We have to find them..
fast.
<Seth> Thor...::steps out of the shadows and listens for
Satics threats to Death somewhere else in the compound::*******INTERLUDE*******
SCENE> DEATH AND STATIC APPEAR ATOP THE FORGE BUILDING. DEATH
STANDS ON ITS HIGHEST POINT, A THIN TOWER, HOLDING STATIC IN THE
AIR WITH A HAND FIRMLY GRIPPING BOTH HIS UPPER ARMS. THE DARKNESS
OF THE NIGHT CLINGS TO DEATH, CONTINUING TO SHROUD HIS
APPEARANCE.<Static> ::Looks around:: ..What the shock?
How..?!
<Death> Do you fear death?
<Static> ::Narrows his eyes at Death:: Been there, done
that. ::Tries to slam a kick between Death's legs::
<Death> ::holds him too high, taking the kick in the
stomach without reaction:: Do you honestly feel that you cheat
death? It took your mother so readily.. yet it does not want
you..
<Static> ::Narrows his eyes, almost growling:: That is one
place you do not want to go, glitch..::Struggles to get a free
shot with one of his arms::
<Death> When your mortality begins to take you, do you know
that you will not truly die? Do you understand the extents to
which you may recover? Or that nothing more should happen to you,
like at Halo City?
<Static> Maybe I don't know that stuff..::Glares down at
Death:: But I know I'm gonna make you your namesake, the second I
get free..
<Death> Of course you do not know. At some point, all know
that they are going to die. Except you. You do not know, you will
never know. ::gives him his freedom, dropping him from the height
they're at:: You do not cheat death, boy. Death cheats and taunts
you.*******INTERLUDE END*******
SCENE> THE MORLOCKS RUN INTO ANOTHER LARGE CHAMBER IN THE
FORGE, SEARCHING THROUGH THE ALMOST MAZE OF A BUILDING FOR WHERE
STATIC AND DEATH MAY HAVE ENDED UP.<Xeno> ::continues scanning around for a heat
source or anything::
<Jaxion> ::steps further into the chamber, looking around::
Do you hear anything yet, Seth?
<Kali> ::Half flies and half runs through the maze of
rooms.:: ((This isn't happening. Too many people are dying. This
has to be stopped.))
<Gally> ::walks into the chamber:: well... anything?ACTION> SETH CAN SUDDENLY HEAR STATIC, FAINTLY.<Kali> ::Skidders to a halt in the chamber and
looks around quickly.:: Which way?
<Flux> ::keeps her sword drawn and looks at Xeno:: ((I
can't help them... I can't even help him feel better))
<Powerslam> Forget where Static is, does anybody know where
we are, anymore?
<Kali> We had food today. We'll be all right. ACTION> STATIC CRASHES THROUGH THE LARGE, GREEN DOME
THAT SERVES AS PARTOF THE CEILING OF THE CHAMBER. IT SHATTERS,
CAUSING SHARDS TO RIP THROUGH HIS BODY BEFORE SLAMMING DOWN HARD
ONTO THE METAL FLOOR, DEAD ON IMPACT.
*******SIM END*******